TS 12699

TS 12699 is a vocational standard for solderers working with soft solder, covering how the occupation is defined, classified, and assessed, together with the minimum tools and equipment used in the trade. Its focus is on the skills and attributes expected from personnel in this field and on how those attributes are measured and evaluated.

The technical role of soft soldering

Soft soldering joins metals with a filler metal that melts at a lower temperature than the base metals. It is widely used in electronics, light metal work, and assembly tasks where controlled heat input is important. Good results depend not only on solder and flux, but also on surface preparation, joint cleanliness, heat control, and proper tooling. In that sense, TS 12699 sits at the intersection of occupational definition and practical workshop capability, rather than describing a single product or joint design.

Levels, qualifications and evaluation

The standard covers the specifications for different levels of solderers, along with the criteria used to evaluate their qualifications. In practical terms, that means a common framework for judging manual skill, safe working habits, use of measuring tools, correct soldering technique, and basic quality control. For training and workforce assessment, such standards help align expectations between education, employment, and on-the-job performance.

• Definition and classification of the occupation
• Minimum tools and equipment used in the trade
• Required characteristics for each level
• Measurement and evaluation of those characteristics